This is one of the pages of the sci.lang.japan Frequently Asked Questions.
Top: Introduction and Contents
>> 7. Word meanings
7.6. What is yamato kotoba?
Japanese has a huge number of loan words (in Japanese,
gairaigo) from Chinese, and many pseudo-Chinese words
invented in Japan using Chinese elements.
Yamato kotoba (大和言葉) means Japanese words which are not
Chinese, pseudo-Chinese, or other loan words. Yamato is an
ancient name for Japan (see 6.5. What are the names of Japan? ) and yamato kotoba
implies the ancient Japanese language without any loan words.
Copyright (c) 1994-2006 Ben Bullock
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